Amazing! Győr become first to defend FinalFour title! – VIDEO, PHOTOS

GYÖR BECOME FIRST TO DEFEND FINAL4 TITLE

Budapest, 2018. május 13. A gyõztes Gyõri Audi ETO csapata a nõi kézilabda Bajnokok Ligája eredményhirdetésén a Papp László Budapest Sportarénában 2018. május 13-án. A címvédõk a döntõben hosszabbítás után 27-26-ra gyõzték le a macedón Vardar Szkopje együttesét. MTI Fotó: Illyés Tibor

According to EHF official site, Győri Audi ETO KC became the Women’s EHF Champions League 2017/18 winners after a tense 70-minute battle versus HC Vardar, taking a 27:26 victory thanks to a fast-break save from Éva Kiss in the dying seconds of extra time.

FINAL

Győri Audi ETO KC (HUN) vs HC Vardar (MKD) 27:26 after extra time (20:20, 9:9)

The packed Papp László Budapest Sportarena was treated to another spectacular Women’s EHF Champions League trophy match, as Győr and Vardar needed extra time to find a winner of the 2017/18 season.

Győr began the trophy match just as they did the semi-final,

with their strong defence making it difficult for their opponents to find their rhythm, and even the same opening goal – a ground shot from left back Eduarda Amorim.

The Macedonian team’s first goal came from Alexandra Lacrabere on a penalty in the fifth (2:1), but Vardar trailed their opponents by a steady one to two goals through the opening 25 minutes as they had trouble beating Győr goalkeeper Kari Aalvik Grimsbø. Vardar keeper Amandine Leynaud did not open the match as well as Grimsbø, but once she began to make saves, she became the Hungarian team’s nightmare, finishing the match with a rate of 41 per cent.

Handball Gyõri Audi ETO - Vardar Szkopje

Photo: MTI

Leynaud saves pave the way for Vardar to equalise

According to eurohandball.com, the Hungarian handball team created their highest lead at three goals after a fast break from Nycke Groot (7:4) in the 17th minute, before Vardar capitalised on three consecutive saves from Leynaud to close the gap. In the 25th, it was right wing Sara Ristovska who levelled the game at 7:7 after eight scoreless minutes for Győr, and it remained equal as the whistle for the break sounded five minutes later.

Leynaud became an increasing problem for Győr in the second half, saving 11 shots at 55 per cent by the 35th minute.

After a second two-minute suspension for Amorim, Győr coach Martin opted for a back-court combination of Stine Oftedal, Groot and Anne Mette Hansen. This proved a wise decision, as Hansen was instrumental in drawing penalties and scoring goals that levelled the game once more, at 13:13 in the 44th.

Photo: MTI

70 minutes to decide the trophy

From that point neither team could create a decisive edge. After a thrilling last quarter, the match was sent into extra time as the score stood level when the 60-minute buzzer sounded – just as it did one year ago when Győr took their third title.

Győr scored the first goal in extra time, and though Vardar always levelled, the Hungarian side ended the first five-minute period with a 24:23 lead. After coming in for penalties throughout the match, Eva Kiss replaced Grimsbø for the second five minutes.

With two goals in a row, from Groot and Bernadett Bódi, Győr pulled ahead 26:23 – but Vardar answered, with Lekic taking the Macedonian team within one at 26:27. In a nail-biting last minute, Győr lost the ball on their final attack.

Lekic ran down the court on a fast-break combination with Andrea Canadija – who took the last shot, only to have it saved by Kiss.

THE BIGGEST SAVE by Éva Kiss! Photo: MTI